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NMP Template Revision (Posted 5/08/09)

The NMP Template has been revised.  Please use this revised version to create your NMPs.  The major changes are highlighted in yellow.  Various smaller changes such as words or phrasing and are not highlighted so make sure to use the revised template as a whole, not replacing the highlighted portions in the old template.  This template is posted in both PDF form and Word document form for you to choose which works better for you to download.  Please, though, continue to submit your NMPs as a Word document.  The following list is some of the major updates in the revised NMP template:

  • footer and page numbering
  • addition of Leaching Index (previously noted via email)
  • additional Appendices if necessary
  • additional maps if possible
  • Table 5-6 needs to include both manure and commercial fertilizers so to recognize all nutrients
  • Section 9 has additional text concerning manure exports

Please take the time to review your document before mailing. 

  • Check footer, page breaks, and fill in shaded areas that require State or facility names. 
  • Make sure the Table of Contents matches the document and Appendices. 
  • Include permits if applicable.  
  • Electronic copies need to include the MMP and the NMP (Word).
  • Sign the signature page.

Thank you everyone for your input and help in this program.  These changes and additions are all from learning as we go.  Please feel free to contact us at SES with questions or concerns at (800) 897-1163. 

 

 

Scope of a CLEANmp NMP (Posted 1-22-09)

During the on-farm portion of a nutrient management plan (NMP) project for this program, it is mandatory that you personally examine critical aspects of the farm’s operation that could impact the resulting NMP.  These critical areas include, but are not limited to the following: livestock production areas, land application fields, manure storages, land application equipment (if available), pesticide and petroleum storages, and any other aspects of the operation that could impact the content of a representative and useful nutrient management plan.  Simply interviewing a producer regarding these features is not consistent with the core values of this program and is unacceptable.  CLEANmp is designed to provide a producer an independent and fresh view of his or her operation, not just a documentation of what may be the status quo. 

Failure to implement the CLEANmp according to its design and intent constitutes grounds for the suspension of a service providers “approved” status.  Regardless of what type of CLEANmp project you are conducting, it is your responsibility to read the applicable program documents and guidance documents.  All of these materials can be found on the secure area of the program website.  If you have questions regarding this letter, feel free to contact either Eric Hess or Patrick Splichal at (800) 897-1163.

 

 

CLEANmp Project Due Dates (Posted 1/16/2009)

Environmental assessment reports are due to the Program Administrator (SES, Inc.) 44 days after a service provider receives a notice-to-proceed on a given project.  Nutrient management plan reports are due to the Program Administrator (SES, Inc.) 60 days after a service provider receives a notice-to-proceed on a given project.  Failure to meet these program deadlines can be grounds for losing program approval.  Service providers must contact the Program Administrator prior to a deadline if they anticipate missing the deadline.

More detail on program deadlines can be seen in Section 6.2 of the Operations Manual.

Bid Evaluation Program Clarification (Posted 1-15-09)

The program document "CLEANmp Bidding" has been revised to include program policy on bid evaluation.  The revised document has been posted on this section of the website.  This policy, while verbally conveyed to service providers, was not formally included in the appropriate program documents.  The Program Administrator, after consultation with ERC, has formally revised the applicable program documents to reflect this bid evaluation policy.

The added text is as follows:

Once a bid period is closed and a project has at least one valid bid, the Program Administrator will initiate the bid selection process.  All else being equal, the Program Administrator will award a project to the bidder with the lowest fixed-price cost.  When all factors are not equal, i.e., bidders with Technical Service Provider (TSP) registrations not in the project operation’s state, and or TSPs not resident in an operation’s state, the Program Administrator will employ the following evaluation and award selection hierarchy: first, a service provider who is resident in an project operation’s state and has program-applicable TSP registrations for that state; second, a service provider who has program-applicable TSP registrations in the project operation’s state but does not reside in that state; and lastly, an approved service provider who neither resides in, or holds program-applicable TSP registrations in an operation’s state.  If the bid evaluation process results in the selection of a service provider due solely to either the first or second criteria above, and the selected bid is determined to be above expected costs, based on regional differences, program history or the Program Administrator’s knowledge of common costs in the area; then the Program Administrator will request a best-and-final bid from the selected bidder.  If this does not result in a cost revision acceptable to the Program Administrator, the Program Administrator has the right to award the project to the bidder whose costs are considered more reasonable. 

What are a Service Provider's responsibilities related to a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) or Environmental Assessment (EA) Project after the report is delivered? (Posted 1-5-09)

According to the program design, as presented in the program documents, Service Providers are expected to submit the final NMP and EA reports, with a signature page, to SES, Inc. (SES) within the program required time limits.  The signature page must contain the Service Provider’s signature and a signature date, indicating him or her as the author, as well as a space for the producer to sign and date the report, acknowledging that he or she has accepted the report.  SES will send the completed report(s) to the producer and have the producer sign the signature page(s) and return copies to SES for the project files.

 

After submitting a report to SES, a Service Provider may receive calls from SES related to quality control review of a report.  A Service Provider is expected to address review issues as part of his or her original fixed price bid.  Once SES delivers the report to the producer, a Service Provider is not required to conduct an additional farm visit to review the report with the producer; however, a Service Provider is expected to allow time for reviewing the report with the producer if the producer contacts the Service Provider with questions.  This producer-initiated follow-up is part of a Service Provider’s original fixed-price bid.